precaution going to HCM

[wratran 0]

I will be in HCM on Nov 14 for my fiance interview.

Because of the H1N1, what precaution should i take? what medicine to take....etc....?

Is it that bad over there?

Please give feedback from those that just came back from HCM.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I haven't been since August. At that time, all of the airport staff were wearing surgical masks, as were many of the travelers. There was a health questionnaire you had to fill out on the plane and turn in before you got to the customs counter.

I don't know what the situation is where you live, but the county health service where I live has a limited supply of vaccines for H1N1. They are only giving them to "high risk" people - pregnant women, very young children with health problems, and immune compromised people. I don't think the county health authorities in my county would classify someone as high risk just because they were traveling to Vietnam. The risk assessment is based on the chances that the virus would be life threatening, and not on your chances of getting the virus.

Tamiflu has been authorized by the FDA for "prophylaxis" of H1N1, which means you can take it to help prevent getting the flu. It's not a vaccine, but it's better than not doing anything. Talk to your doctor, as a prescription is required.

I'd recommend getting a box of disposable surgical masks, and using them. Wash your hands, preferably with soap and water, after touching any common surfaces, like lavatory door handles, etc. Avoid crowds, when possible. When you go to restaurant, order food that's served hot, drink your beer from the bottle instead of a glass, and consider carrying your own pair of dua.

[wratran 0]

i did try to get a prescription for tamiflu...but no luck...

Doctor wont give it to you until you are sick.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

i did try to get a prescription for tamiflu...but no luck...

Doctor wont give it to you until you are sick.

Maybe if you showed your doctor a copy of the authorization letter from the FDA:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/pdf/fda_letter_tamiflu.pdf

Also, show him this warden notice from the consulate in HCM:

http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/vietnames...eparedness.html

As of August 17, 2009, Vietnamese authorities are screening all passengers arriving on inbound international flights for signs and symptoms of 2009-H1N1 influenza virus infection. Passengers are required to fill out declarations describing current symptoms and possible exposure history, and are screened for fever. Passengers with a temperature over 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) or who exhibit flu symptoms will be referred to medical facilities for further diagnosis. A positive laboratory test result for infection is not required for hospital isolation; Vietnamese health authorities can and do isolate individuals based on a medical opinion that they may carry the virus causing the disease.

If you get sick in Vietnam, you will probably be quarantined. That might be enough to get your doctor to change his mind. He would not be violating FDA prescription rules by giving you a prescription, according to the EAU letter.

[Ronnie&Hang 12]

Don't sweat too much about it. You will see some people wear the mask, most don't.

You will fill out a health questionares and turn it in before going through immigration.

This is where they installed the thermo cameras to check for high temperature passengers.

I had to take the top portion and go to Y Te Phuong (Local Health Office) to register just in case, but I don't think they required that any longer.

This is the same when I travelled to Macau/Hongkong last week, but just filled out the questionare.

If you are feeling good, you should be fine, just have some precautions.

Here are some good reads below:

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1 N 1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1 N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

Lối xâm nhập duy nhất là qua hai lỗ mũi và miệng/họng. Đồi diện với cơn dịch toàn cầu như hiện nay, thật khó mà tránh không tiếp xúc với vi trùng H1 N1 dẫu cho chúng ta có cẩn thận đến đâu đi nữa. Vấn nạn ở đây không phải là sự tiếp xúc với vi trùng H1 N1 mà là sự sinh sôi nẩy nở của nó.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1 N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N 95 or Tamiflu):

Trong khi bạn còn khỏe mạnh và không có triệu chứng bị nhiễm trùng H1 N1và nếu bạn muốn ngăn ngừa sự sinh sôi nảy nở của nó, cùng các trở chứng trầm trọng và các sự nhiễm khuẩn phái sinh khác, bạn có thể áp dụng một số biện pháp rất đơn giản sau đây, không được nêu rõ ràng trong các thông tư y-học chính thức [thay vì chú trọng đến việc tàng trữ thuốc N 95 hoặc Tamiflu]

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

1. Thường xuyên rửa tay (được nói đến rõ ràng trong các thông tư y-học chính thức)

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

2. Nguyên tắc “Không-Rờ-Tay-Vào-Mặt”. Tự chế mọi ý muốn đụng vào bất cứ phần nào trên mặt (trừ trường hợp bạn muốn ăn, rửa hoặc tát mặt).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1 N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation.

3. Xúc họng hai (2) lần mỗi ngày bằng nước ấm với muối [dùng Listerine nếu bạn không tin muối] . Vi trùng H1 N1 cần 2 tới 3 ngày từ khi xâm nhập vào họng/mũi để sinh sôi nảy nở và có triệu chứng tác hại. Chỉ cần xúc họng đủ đễ năn ngừa sự sinh sôi nảy nở của nó.

In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

Nói cách khác, xúc họng bằng nước muối có cùng tác dụng đối với người khỏe mạnh như Tamiflu đối với người nhiễm bệnh. Xin chớ coi thường cách thức ngừa bệnh đơn giản, rẻ tiền mà hữu hiệu này.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.* Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

4. Tương tự như điều 3, “Chùi lỗ mũi tối thiểu một lần mỗi ngày bằng nước muối ấm.” Không phải ai cũng rành Jala Neti hoặc Sutra Neti [các thế Yoga rất công hiệu cho việc tẩy sạch lỗ mũi], nhưng “Xỉ mũi thật mạnh mỗi ngày một lần, cùng chùi hai lỗ mũi bằng que bông gòng chấm nước muối ấm là một cách rất hữu hiệu làm giảm thiều số lượng vi trùng.”

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

5. *Tăng cường hệ thống miễn nhiễm bằng thức ăn giàu vitamin C (các loại trái cây họ cam quit).* Nếu bạn cần thêm thuốc viên Vitamin C, thì nhớ là nó phải có kẽm để giúp cho việc tiêu hóa)

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.

6. *Uống tối đa nước ấm mà bạn có thể uống (trà, càfé, v.v.)

*Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

*Uống nước ấm có cùng công hiệu như việc xúc họng, nhưng về hướng đối nghịch. Nó cuốn các vi trùng đang sinh sản trong họng vào bao tử, nơi mà chúng không thể sống sót, sinh sản hoặc gây bất cứ tác hại nào.

[wratran 0]

the mouthwash and vitamin tips are very good. I did not know about that.

2 more items i need to take on the trip.

Awsome tips...This is very helpful for everyone with upcoming interivew date

Thanks

[ScottThuy 140]

the mouthwash and vitamin tips are very good. I did not know about that.

2 more items i need to take on the trip.

Awsome tips...This is very helpful for everyone with upcoming interivew date

Thanks

Walgreens has a generic version of airbourne which is a good vitamin supplement... dont take too much as the citric acid will do a # on your stomach

[wratran 0]

Is "airbourne" a brand name?

[lindal24 1]

Is "airbourne" a brand name?

Yes...it's a purple/blue bottle...

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

It's called "Airborne" (American English spelling) and not "Airbourne" (British/Canadian/Australian English spelling).

Airborne Health Inc. has been sued several times for false claims about the curative effects of their product, including a $30 million suit by the Federal Trade Commission last year. In addition to false claims about preventive and curative effects, the FTC complaint also said that the company made false claims about clinical tests proving the effectiveness of their product. Apparently, the "company" that conducted the trials consisted of two men who started the company specifically to publish a report - neither men were doctors, and they had no clinic or laboratory - no tests were ever conducted.

What's more, each tablet contains potentially unsafe levels of vitamin C, and the company recommends you take 1 tablet every 3 hours at the first sign of a cold.

You'd be better off and spend less money taking a safe vitamin C supplement.

[ScottThuy 140]

good info jim.. I had problems if I took the recomended amount but if I took less I was good to go...

[Anh map 2,098]

A person is much more likely to catch something on the long flights than in general contact. Wash your hands a lot and use normal precautions. Bring hand sanitizer.

Airborne can't hurt, but not sure if it does much. In my hardcore traveling years I always got a regular flu shot.

[RalphandHanh 1]

A person is much more likely to catch something on the long flights than in general contact. Wash your hands a lot and use normal precautions. Bring hand sanitizer.

Airborne can't hurt, but not sure if it does much. In my hardcore traveling years I always got a regular flu shot.

Been living here for 3 months now and we don't know anyone personally that got it. And Hanh knows a Lot of people. Bring a bottle of vitamin C and B. If you start feeling anything take a large does of both. Limit your public activities if you are that worried about it too.

[Bernie C 24]

I was in Nha Trang two weeks in September. Nothing remarkable to note regaring H1N1. We did have to complete a form on the plane and in some places they were taking people temp to check for fever.

Best to follow good health practices, especially in a confined space like on the plane. Keep hydrated and try not to get run down. Best wishes for you trip, good health and happiness!!!

[Dau Que 6]

"I've been having unprotected sex for years and I still haven't contracted HIV, yet. Therefore, my conclusion is all those warnings about protecting yourself by having protected sex is so unneeded and inconclusive."

Is the above statement logical, to most people? Don't let the unfortunate happen to you, like one of members' spouse in recent days. I'm pretty sure he didn't make up his story to entertain you.

Edited October 31, 2009 by Dau Que